The 10 Commandments of Financial Success

Who Truly Owns Your Money?

 By John Cammarano

According to Author and Pastor John MacArthur, in the Bible five times more is said about money than prayer.

There are approximately 500 verses on both prayer and faith compared to over 2,300 verses dealing with money and possessions.

In the New Testament Jesus spoke more about money than heaven and hell combined.

Sixteen out of 38 of Christ’s parables deal with money.  That means over forty-two percent of Jesus’ parables had money as the subject.

SOME AMAZING STATISTICS

The average American has eight credit cards.

The average balance carried on these cards is over $10,000.

Over 70% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck and are only 90 days away from a potential bankruptcy.

Only 4% of people age 65 or older have an income over $40,000.

That means 96% of people in the world’s wealthiest country have failed to achieve financial success after spending 40 years of their life working!

Scripture References

Luke 19:11-26  / Matthew 25: 14-29 / Luke 16: 1-14

10 COMMANDMENTS OF FINANCIAL SUCCESS

1.   Develop a Personalized Financial Program

                             

2.   Eliminate all “Bad Debt” / Goal: Become Bad Debt Free

3.   Utilize a Monthly Allocation Program

4.   Maximize all your protections and Minimize all your costs.

5.   Establish an emergency fund equal to a Minimum of Three to Six months of your monthly expenses

6.   Establish an Opportunity / Dream fund

7.   LBYM = Live Below Your Means.  Live on 80% of your income.

8.   Save / Invest 10% of your income

      

9.   Goal Set for a 10% Rate of Return

10. Tithe: Give 10% to Your Church. Oliver Wendell Holmes said,  “Put not your trust in money, but put your money in trust.”           

      

The majority of Americans do NOT have money problems.

The majority of Americans have a discipline problem.  Phil. 4:11-12

A small portion of people have an earnings problem.     Prov. 28:19-20

Romans 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Our success in finances does NOT come from how much money we earn.

Our financial success and happiness comes from:

How much we SOW.

How much we SAVE.

How much we SPEND.

    

Questions:

Do you truly believe God is the owner and provider of all your finances and possessions?

Read Proverbs 28:19-27.  On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your ability to Biblically manage your finances?

Read Proverbs 3.  Can you see the benefits of managing your money as the Bible instructs?

John Cammarano is a Financial Representative with Alliance Advisory Group. He is a member of the Buffalo Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (BAIFA), the Men's Leadership Team at the Chapel at Crosspoint, AFA, PTC and the Let Them LOL Ministry to Sierra Leone. He has authored the book Sowing Seeds of Wealth* and is a Life Success and Business Development Coach with Empowered Mastery Consultants. 

Unite June/July

Table of Contents:

Does This Place Matter? By Mark Lazzara

4 Ways to Reach the Marketplace by Ed Turose

Can Buffalo Be Saved? By Revs. Al and Deb Warner

"Aslan Is On The Move" by Ryan Kozey, PhD.

Resource Review sponsored by Bender's Parable Christian Store

Four Keys To Reaching the Marketplace

By Ed Turose

Originally published in Unite's June/July 2013 issue. Download the whole issue here:
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For the past 35 years, I have worked within the Fortune 500 arena and have seen God’s hand use me to minister to hurting individuals and provide insight, wisdom, and solutions within my sphere of influence. A person who operates within the marketplace has a tremendous calling upon their life.

     As a Marketplace Minister, I am aware that there are four key areas that help me understand this calling upon my life. Maybe you are one who has the same calling, but are unsure how God wants to use you in the workplace. I want to review with you the four key areas that can help you in your spiritual walk within the marketplace.

1)  You have been chosen. Matthew 22.14 For many are called, but few are chosen. There are many people who have been called but God has chosen specific individuals with a gifting to operate in the workplace in Godly principles of wisdom, excellence, and honor, while producing greater results. Most people complain every day about their jobs, but those that are chosen look for opportunities for God to show up. His presence within you can change the atmosphere from strife, frustration and doubt into a place of peace and blessing.

2) Secondly, as believers we have a covenant with God and with others. Genesis 17.2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. Our covenant, the same covenant God made with our father of faith Abraham, is that we will be blessed to be a blessing! Our covenant is horizontal with God as He pours His life into us as we draw closer to Him through our daily praise and worship. Secondly, our covenant is vertical with covenant relationship of people of like-precious faith. These are people who are with you during the good times and bad times in life.

    

3) You must make a commitment to be used to build the Kingdom of God in your sphere of influence. Proverbs 16.3 says roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed. (AMP) Every year my wife and I have a giving plan of our tithes, offerings, alms and first fruits that are used to facilitate God’s purposes upon the earth. You see, God will bring provision to someone who has a plan. Why would God want to bless you if you just want to lavish it on yourself? In Genesis 12.2-3 we have the covenant of God that says we are blessed to be a blessing. While everyone wants the blessing from God, many will not take the responsibility to be a blessing! Committed people are those who look for opportunities every day to be a blessing to others.

    

4) Finally, you must be under a spiritual covering to be successful. What I mean by that is you need to be under the guidance, direction and protection of your Pastor or Minister. One of their functions is provide a covering of protection over you in the daily battles within the workplace. This gifting can help you overcome any circumstance. Many times I have reached out for my Pastor or his staff to provide wisdom, insight and prayer concerning areas within my business.

     Every answer is found in the time you spend in God’s presence listening to Him. Hebrews 12 1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

     It is time to begin to look for opportunities to allow God to work in and through you to impact and change the atmosphere within your workplace. You have the blessing upon you and in you so begin to release it out in your workplace!

 Ed Turose has over 30 plus years of business experience as a people manager trainer, and strategic planner for two Fortune 500 Companies, Uni-Lever and the Coca-Cola Company. Utilizing the gifting of exhortation and empowerment, Ed bridges the gap between the workplace and ministry. Ed Turose is President of Focus 40, a marketing, training, and strategic planning consultancy serving corporate, government, and nonprofit clients which offers strategic business solutions that will increase profitability, productivity and efficiency. He has authored a book and workbook series entitled, “The Focus Fulfilled Life” which helps individuals to get focused to achieve better and greater results and many other marketplace resources. Contact Information Website: www.FocusCoach4u.com Email: eturose@zoominternet.net

Resource Review: Generous Justice

It is commonly thought in secular society that the Bible is one of the greatest hindrances to doing justice. Isn't it full of regressive views? Didn't it condone slavery? Why look to the Bible for guidance on how to have a more just society? But Timothy Keller challenges these preconceived beliefs and presents the Bible as a fundamental source for promoting justice and compassion for those in need. In "Generous Justice," he explores a life of justice empowered by an experience of grace: a generous, gracious justice. This book offers readers a new understanding of modern justice and human rights that will resonate with both the faithful and the skeptical.